Human Rights Commission says isolated rescue operations are not enough, urges authorities to intensify coordinated efforts to secure the freedom of every Nigerian still in captivity.
By A1NEWS International
ABUJA, Nigeria — July 13, 2026
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has praised Nigerian security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted Oriire pupil in Ibadan, Oyo State, but insists that the operation should serve as a catalyst for broader and more aggressive efforts to rescue hundreds of Nigerians who remain in the hands of kidnappers across the country.
In a statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, described the rescue as encouraging but cautioned against celebrating a single success while many families continue to endure the trauma of having loved ones in captivity.
According to the Commission, Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis requires sustained, coordinated, intelligence-driven operations capable of protecting every citizen regardless of social status, location, or media attention.
One Successful Rescue Should Become National Standard
Chief Ojukwu stressed that the emotional relief experienced by the family of the rescued pupil should become the benchmark for every Nigerian family whose relatives remain missing.
“Every life matters. The joy of one family reunited must become the standard for every family still waiting in anguish,” he stated.
While acknowledging the professionalism displayed during the rescue operation, Ojukwu warned against allowing isolated victories to overshadow the broader security challenge confronting the nation.
He observed that numerous victims—including schoolchildren, commuters, farmers, traditional rulers, women, and community residents—remain trapped in various kidnapping camps across different parts of Nigeria.
According to him, every successful rescue should strengthen the resolve of security agencies to extend similar urgency and operational commitment to all outstanding kidnapping cases.
Constitution Places Duty on Government to Protect Every Citizen
The NHRC reminded government authorities that protecting lives and safeguarding personal liberty are constitutional obligations rather than discretionary responsibilities.
Chief Ojukwu cited Sections 33 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantee every citizen the right to life and personal liberty.
He maintained that the constitutional duty of government extends equally to every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, economic status, or geographical location.
The Commission emphasized that citizens should not be abandoned simply because their cases receive less public attention.
Rising Abductions Remain a Serious Human Rights Concern
Beyond the immediate security implications, the Commission described the persistent wave of kidnappings as a grave human rights issue.
According to the NHRC, abductions violate fundamental rights, inflict severe psychological trauma on victims and families, disrupt education, weaken local economies, and create widespread fear within communities.
The Commission noted that repeated attacks on schools, highways, rural settlements, and public spaces continue to undermine public confidence in national security institutions.
Human rights advocates have consistently argued that prolonged captivity often exposes victims to torture, exploitation, sexual violence, forced labour, and other degrading treatment prohibited under both Nigerian and international human rights laws.
NHRC Urges Improved Intelligence and Inter-Agency Collaboration
To address the growing insecurity, the Commission called on the Federal Government, state governments, military authorities, police, intelligence agencies, civil defence corps, and other security institutions to deepen collaboration.
It recommended:
- Enhanced intelligence gathering and surveillance.
- Stronger coordination among security agencies.
- Faster deployment of rescue operations.
- Victim-centred response strategies.
- Improved protection for vulnerable schools and communities.
- Sustained efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks nationwide.
Chief Ojukwu stressed that successful rescue missions should become a continuous national security objective rather than exceptional events.
“Rescuing one is commendable. Rescuing all is the mandate. No Nigerian should be left behind in captivity.”
Commission Reaffirms Commitment to Human Rights Protection
The National Human Rights Commission reiterated its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of everyone living in Nigeria.
It also urged government authorities at all levels to intensify efforts aimed at ending insecurity in all its forms, noting that sustainable peace remains essential for the protection of human dignity, economic development, and national stability.
The Commission pledged to continue monitoring human rights developments while advocating policies that strengthen the protection of lives and fundamental freedoms across the country.
The NHRC’s response highlights growing concerns that while successful rescue operations provide hope, they should not divert attention from the thousands of Nigerians who continue to face the threat of kidnapping and violent criminality.
As insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing national challenges, the Commission insists that equal protection under the law demands that every victim receives the same urgency, commitment, and coordinated rescue efforts demonstrated in the successful Ibadan operation.
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